How about this one? If you live in an apartment in Switzerland it's against the law to flush your toilet after 10:00 PM.
Tell that to my bladder, Judge!
AUGUST 2014
Saturday, November 17, 2012
CRUISING ALONG
Friends of Donnie and Linda asked them if they'd like to join them on a cruise to Alaska. Donnie asked me and a couple other of their friends what we thought of that idea.
I said, "I have always said Wisconsin is too far north for me. I wouldn't go another block north for any attraction.
When I hear the word "cruise", the only mental picture I get is of old pot-bellied men standing next to a blue haired old woman wondering what time they'll be serving the next "free" meal."
Donnie and Linda's first friend said, "Cruising is like being placed in a swanky nursing home, where the illusion is created that your every need is met and your ever wish granted, when in reality it's confinement, no matter how you slice it."
And, the second friend said, "I hated the crowds, loathed the experience. I could send you an entire inflammatory rant against cruising. I hated the regimentation, I hated the artificiality of it."
To cruise or not to cruise. After those three opinions, it will be interesting to see what Donnie and Linda decide.
I said, "I have always said Wisconsin is too far north for me. I wouldn't go another block north for any attraction.
When I hear the word "cruise", the only mental picture I get is of old pot-bellied men standing next to a blue haired old woman wondering what time they'll be serving the next "free" meal."
Donnie and Linda's first friend said, "Cruising is like being placed in a swanky nursing home, where the illusion is created that your every need is met and your ever wish granted, when in reality it's confinement, no matter how you slice it."
And, the second friend said, "I hated the crowds, loathed the experience. I could send you an entire inflammatory rant against cruising. I hated the regimentation, I hated the artificiality of it."
To cruise or not to cruise. After those three opinions, it will be interesting to see what Donnie and Linda decide.
I'LL DRINK TO THAT
Here's a recipe for BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM from ALL RECIPES.COM They say it's great on pecan or pumpkin pie and I'll bet it's tasty too!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOYOTA
I wonder if Rita and Roger remember that the van they're driving back from South Dakota in is having a birthday today?
It was two years ago today they bought that TOYOTA and it's one great car.
The fact that, having gotten in and out of that van many times, I still haven't figured out how to open and close the door is no reflection on Toyota whatsoever. I'm quite challenged when it comes to anyting other than sitting.
It was two years ago today they bought that TOYOTA and it's one great car.
The fact that, having gotten in and out of that van many times, I still haven't figured out how to open and close the door is no reflection on Toyota whatsoever. I'm quite challenged when it comes to anyting other than sitting.
WAL-MART WALKOUT
I wouldn't worry too much about the Wal-Mart walkout. When you need an employee you can never find one, even if they are there. And, if you do find one they don't know what you're talking about and don't much care if you ever get an answer.
For cheap crap made in China you want service too??
A ROBOTIC FUTURE?
The experts say there will be a robot on the market, within 10 years, that will do housework while you're at work.
That's the good news.
The bad news?
It will probably cost around $25,000.00.
That's the good news.
The bad news?
It will probably cost around $25,000.00.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The weather ain't what it used to be. If you still don't believe that, check this out from NOAA.
The average temperature across land and ocean surfaces during October was 14.63°C (58.23°F). This is 0.63°C (1.13°F) above the 20th century average and ties with 2008 as the fifth warmest October on record. The record warmest October occurred in 2003 and the record coldest October occurred in 1912.
This is the 332nd consecutive month with an above-average temperature. The last below-average month was February 1985. The last October with a below-average temperature was 1976.
The average temperature across land and ocean surfaces during October was 14.63°C (58.23°F). This is 0.63°C (1.13°F) above the 20th century average and ties with 2008 as the fifth warmest October on record. The record warmest October occurred in 2003 and the record coldest October occurred in 1912.
This is the 332nd consecutive month with an above-average temperature. The last below-average month was February 1985. The last October with a below-average temperature was 1976.
FUN STUFF
I saw this, from Natalie, on Twitter:
Fun Fact: 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
Fun Fact: 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
HUNTING TRIP
Rita and Roger get back home today. Between them, and Rick and Angela, I hope they got some good pictures. This photo is from a previous hunting trip.
TRAVELING TO NORWAY
Know anyone TRAVELING TO NORWAY? SEND THEM THIS SITE with tips and advice on what to see and do.
Speaking of Norway, a WHITE HUMPBACK WHALE was recently spotted off the coast of Norway. CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE AND SOME SPECTACULAR PHOTOS.
Speaking of Norway, a WHITE HUMPBACK WHALE was recently spotted off the coast of Norway. CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE AND SOME SPECTACULAR PHOTOS.
FOOD WASTE
According to a new exhibit at the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY in New York, about 30% of the food produced in the world is never eaten. With so many people on this planet starving how can this be? Transportation. We can't or choose not to get the food from the field to the people who need it.
Another sad fact is that the average American family of four wastes about 1,656 pounds of food a year.
Didn't Jesus say something about feeding the hungry?
Another sad fact is that the average American family of four wastes about 1,656 pounds of food a year.
Didn't Jesus say something about feeding the hungry?
BOOZE
Here you go! Check out A LUXURY TRAVEL BLOG for the TOP 10 DRINKS for the HOLIDAY SEASON and their origins. I don't suppose anyone in our family will want a drink but there are those, I hear, who like a little nip of holiday cheer.
Friday, November 16, 2012
CARL AND KATHY
Carl and Kathy are having a beautiful last day in Key West. It was 71 and sunny when I checked at 4 PM.
Tomorrow they head the car north. There won't be any palm trees when they get back but there won't be any snow either and the highs for the next few days will be near 50 so the climate change won't be as miserable as it could be!
TV MOVIES
The reviews for Lindsay Lohan's portrayal of Liz Taylor in the Lifetime TV movie are really, really bad. That's no surprise but then, no one I can think of could play Elizabeth Taylor....except Liz, herself, who did it so well.
MONEY AND BIRDS
DONNIE NOTES:
"Knowing that you follow the economy, you should know that the cost of BIRD SEED has gone up about 70% since we've been down here".
SPEAKING OF BIRDS AND MONEY...
It’s time for the birds annual check-up at the vet’s office. So, off the guy goes to the vet with the bird.
As he sits in the waiting room, the vet comes out with a cat in tow. He puts the cat down on the floor and the cat runs over to the carrier the bird is in and sniffs it all over. Then the vet says could you step into my office?
The man goes in with the vet who gives a cursory glance at the bird and says that he is in fine shape.
With that he presents him with a bill for $930. The man says “Why is this so high? You didn’t even do anything!”
The vet replys "It’s $30 for an office visit, and the cat scan was $900."
"Knowing that you follow the economy, you should know that the cost of BIRD SEED has gone up about 70% since we've been down here".
SPEAKING OF BIRDS AND MONEY...
It’s time for the birds annual check-up at the vet’s office. So, off the guy goes to the vet with the bird.
As he sits in the waiting room, the vet comes out with a cat in tow. He puts the cat down on the floor and the cat runs over to the carrier the bird is in and sniffs it all over. Then the vet says could you step into my office?
The man goes in with the vet who gives a cursory glance at the bird and says that he is in fine shape.
With that he presents him with a bill for $930. The man says “Why is this so high? You didn’t even do anything!”
The vet replys "It’s $30 for an office visit, and the cat scan was $900."
FOOD
Willard is moaning the death of Hostess Twinkies. The company has drowned in red ink and will close. Nothing is forever. Not even Twinkies.
AIRLINES
Funny cartoon I saw this morning. Airline passenger sitting in his seat holding an empty bag. Flight attendant, in the aisle looking down.
Flight attendant to the passenger: "There are no peanuts. You just eat the bag."
Flight attendant to the passenger: "There are no peanuts. You just eat the bag."
THE UNIVERSE
Have you ever seen those ads that invite you to send $20.00, or whatever, and you will get a star named after you? Of course, it's a rip-off but you may not realize how much of a rip-off it is.
Let's put this in perspective. As far as astronomers can compute, there are A TRILLION BILLION STARS IN THE VISIBLE UNIVERSE. I say visible universe because we don't know how far the universe goes, or if there's any end to it at all. In any event, what we can see is a lot of stars.
How big a number is a trillion billion? Well, that's more stars than Bill Gates has dollars. That's for sure. In fact, it's more dollars than there are in the whole world, even though it's close to the national debt.
If you put it into digits it would look like this: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars. To give you another illustration of how many stars that is, the total comes out to 10 BILLION STARS FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING WHO HAS EVER EXISTED ON THIS PLANET.
So next time you look into the stary, stary night, remember that 10 billion of those stars are all yours. And, if you really believe this government will ever balance its budget, you're as far out of this world as your stars are.
Let's put this in perspective. As far as astronomers can compute, there are A TRILLION BILLION STARS IN THE VISIBLE UNIVERSE. I say visible universe because we don't know how far the universe goes, or if there's any end to it at all. In any event, what we can see is a lot of stars.
How big a number is a trillion billion? Well, that's more stars than Bill Gates has dollars. That's for sure. In fact, it's more dollars than there are in the whole world, even though it's close to the national debt.
If you put it into digits it would look like this: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars. To give you another illustration of how many stars that is, the total comes out to 10 BILLION STARS FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING WHO HAS EVER EXISTED ON THIS PLANET.
So next time you look into the stary, stary night, remember that 10 billion of those stars are all yours. And, if you really believe this government will ever balance its budget, you're as far out of this world as your stars are.
UFO
Take a look at this "thing" that seems to be FLYING OVER DENVER. Nobody can figure this one out. For now, this really is a VERY REAL UFO!
FANFEST
I'm guessing that Donnie and Linda will be avoiding downtown Austin this week-end. They're expecting MORE THAN 200,000 FANS AND MORE THAN 100 ENTERTAINERS to the annual FANFEST
It probably won't be just kids attending this big rock event. I see AEROSMITH is headlining. Those guys have been around almost as long as I have!
It probably won't be just kids attending this big rock event. I see AEROSMITH is headlining. Those guys have been around almost as long as I have!
CANDY
In case you haven't read your Time magazine yet, I'll pass this along. TIME REPORTS ON A CHOCOLATE BAR that will cost you $18.00 to taste. Your first thought would be, "that had better be damn good chocolate" and, turns out, it is. That should make a great "stocking stuffer" this Christmas! Donnie will be interested to note that the beans for this pricey bar come from PERU.
AUNT WILDA
UPDATE FROM LYNNE
"Therapy is going much better now. She had some dizziness yesterday but none today. One of the girls brought her a chocolate chip/peanut butter cookie which she loved. Any food is good for her.
Hopefully she will be here with us for Christmas. I know the foods she will definitely eat. I mentioned it to her and she said it all sounded so good."
"Therapy is going much better now. She had some dizziness yesterday but none today. One of the girls brought her a chocolate chip/peanut butter cookie which she loved. Any food is good for her.
Hopefully she will be here with us for Christmas. I know the foods she will definitely eat. I mentioned it to her and she said it all sounded so good."
SENIOR CITIZENS
ANOTHER OLD GUY STORY
(I got a million of 'em)
While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped
at a roadside restaurant for lunch.
After finishing their meal, they left the
restaurant, and resumed their trip.
When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly
left her glasses on the table, and she didn't
miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes.
By then, to add to the aggravation, they
had to travel quite a distance before
they could find a place to turn around,
in order to return to the restaurant
to retrieve her glasses.
All the way back, the elderly husband
became the classic grouchy old man.
He fussed and complained, and scolded
his wife relentlessly during the
entire return drive. The more he chided her,
the more agitated he became. He
just wouldn't let up for a single minute.
To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.
As the woman got out of the
car, and hurried inside to retrieve
her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her,
"While you're in there, you might as well
get my hat and the credit card..."
Thursday, November 15, 2012
OLD AGE
ANOTHER CONFUSED
SENIOR CITIZEN
Several days ago as I left a meeting at a hotel; I desperately gave myself a personal pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.
Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen.
As I burst through the door, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.
Then I made the most difficult call of all, "Honey," I stammered. I always call her "honey" in times like these. "I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.” There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard her voice. "Idiot", she barked, "I dropped you off!"
Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."
Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."
She retorted, "I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car."
Yep it's the golden years.
FORGETFUL
I bought some stamps and put them in a neat place that I thought would be handy and a place I'd never forget.
I forgot.
DONNIE COMMENTS: This is another of the ticks of aging, though I've suffered it a long time already. I make a special effort to put something in a place I am sure to remember, then quickly forget it, exactly because I put it some place different. There are things around the house that shouldn't be where they are, but if I move them to better places, I am sure to forget. It drives me mad, and then, of course, I can't do anything else until I find the lost treasure. But in your tiny apartment, with so few places to hide, I imagine it is even more maddening."
I forgot.
DONNIE COMMENTS: This is another of the ticks of aging, though I've suffered it a long time already. I make a special effort to put something in a place I am sure to remember, then quickly forget it, exactly because I put it some place different. There are things around the house that shouldn't be where they are, but if I move them to better places, I am sure to forget. It drives me mad, and then, of course, I can't do anything else until I find the lost treasure. But in your tiny apartment, with so few places to hide, I imagine it is even more maddening."
ADVERTISING
The Catholic church is Poland is pretty upset with a company that makes coffins. They're pushing their product with a calendar that features topless models posing next to their line of caskets. The article doesn't say whether the church is upset about the models or the caskets.
DOGS
WILLARD: "Around 2:30 this morning Buddy jumped up on the bed, at least three times, encouraging me to get up. I did not comply."
CLINTON
Even BILL CLINTON knows, when you need really good advice, you go ask the Dutch! He's in AMSTERDAM today.
ARTIST
One of the greatest American artists of all time, GEORGIA O'KEEFFE, was born in SUN PRAIRIE, WISCONSIN on this date in 1887. She was awarded the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM in 1977 and died in Santa Fe in 1986.
TEXAS
TEXAS. GOTTA LOVE IT
Donnie sent a news item about the petition going around Texas to secede from the Union. By the way, they've already got 60,000 signatures!
Meanwhile, the new twist is that Austin has a petition going around for the city to secede from Texas!
Between Donnie and I, we've managed to live in two of the most "colorful" cities in the USA.
My year and a half in San Francisco in the 1960's and Donnie and Lindas many years in Austin could, probably, make a good book!
ECONOMY
TOUGH TIMES?
Not for everybody. Christie's, in New York, rang up sales of $412 million yesterday. That's the second highest auction they've ever held. The rich get richer and, like Liberace, they laugh (at us) all the way to the bank.
ROCK
If you're a fan of the music from the 50's, 60's and 70's, click here to listen to FLAMING OLDIES It's the best site I've found to listen to while I'm on the computer.
WEATHER
WARM DAY AHEAD
WE'LL HIT 50 THIS AFTERNOON
It looks like our afternoons will see highs near 50 for the next several days. Considering that our normal high, for this time of year, is 44 I'll be more than happy with 50.
SEXY
So, another year goes by and I STILL haven't been named PEOPLE MAGAZINES SEXIEST MAN ALIVE. This year it's Channing Tatum, but he cheated. If I had played a male stripper, running around half naked, like he did, I'll bet I could have captured the title. Maybe next year
DIAMONDS
According to the NEW YORK TIMES, South African police arrested a 25 year old man who was trying to smuggle 220 diamonds out of the country by swallowing them. They knew he was guilty by his sparkling personality.
THE ROSS SISTERS
The Ross sisters.. Aggie, Maggie, Elmira... just some good old
Missouri girls...
Fantastic girls, famous at the time.
A film from 1944 was recovered, scanned and colored. This classical choreography of the film "Broadway Rhythm,” the so-called The Ross Sisters, Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, sing and move in a way that does not seem to be humanly possible. In the first 45 seconds they sing. But what comes next is awesome.
During the first 50 seconds, they are singing, but NEXT , WATCH what they are doing, it's almost impossible .... must watch…
Fantastic girls, famous at the time.
A film from 1944 was recovered, scanned and colored. This classical choreography of the film "Broadway Rhythm,” the so-called The Ross Sisters, Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, sing and move in a way that does not seem to be humanly possible. In the first 45 seconds they sing. But what comes next is awesome.
During the first 50 seconds, they are singing, but NEXT , WATCH what they are doing, it's almost impossible .... must watch…
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
IT'S THEATER CONSTRUCTION DAY IN DOWNTOWN LA CROSSE
There's a lot of activity around the HOLLYWOOD THEATER where a large construction crew is repairing the roof.
A few blocks down the street there was a good crowd on hand for the unveiling of the murals on our NEW PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING.
It ain't Broadway but it's pretty big stuff for our little town!
Drinking alcohol adds about 100 calories to your daily intake. Most of those calories are from sugar. READ MORE AT WebMD
What kind of hotel room can you get, in LAS VEGAS, for $25,000 a night? You'll find it at the PALMS CASINO. Ask for THE HOLLYWOOD SUITE. It's two floors of pure, disgusting, luxury....if you're into that sort of thing. TAKE A LOOK HERE TO SEE MORE.
I'm looking forward to watching THE DUST BOWL, SUNDAY, ON PBS.
Paul wrote:
"One of the best books I have read is: 'The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl'
This is a compilation of tragic stories and stories of survival.
I won't explain what I read but if you read it, I would enjoy discussing it with you."
Paul wrote:
This is a compilation of tragic stories and stories of survival.
I won't explain what I read but if you read it, I would enjoy discussing it with you."
I was wiping the counter with a paper towel, this morning and thinking, "I can't imagine living without paper towels."
Then I thought, "I don't remember Mother ever using paper towels when we were kids. Could I, actually, be older than paper towels?"
Turns out, I'm not. Paper towels had been around for a few years before I was born. Arthur Scott invented them in 1931.
I still don't remember Mother ever using them.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
NOTHING IS SACRED ANYMORE: The Hostess brand is trying to get out of Chapter 11, Their workers are on strike and they're shutting down 3 plants. This could be the end of TWINKIES!
Don't laugh. Twinkies have been around since 1930. 82 years. Ten years older than me and THAT'S OLD!
James A. Dewar invented Twinkies in Schiller Park, Illinois. They were named after Twinkle Toes Shoes which you can still buy at Payless and other fine shoe stores.
Don't laugh. Twinkies have been around since 1930. 82 years. Ten years older than me and THAT'S OLD!
James A. Dewar invented Twinkies in Schiller Park, Illinois. They were named after Twinkle Toes Shoes which you can still buy at Payless and other fine shoe stores.
Here's A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT REALITY. If you like good pictures YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS for some beautiful composition.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Lynne says Aunt Wilda did pretty good Saturday but was very nauseated early yesterday. "She wants to go home, again, but knows she has to get stronger which means eating better and light exercise. Balance is the key so she can walk around the house without help. She ate better, yesterday, and had two of my cookies for dessert."
As far as I know, Rita, Roger, Rick and Angela are still frozen in Pierre where the temperature, at 3:00 A.M. was 18 degrees with a wind chill of ONE DEGREE ABOVE ZERO. I'm guessing this will be another day of NON-HUNTING.
It was Rita who thought it would be really neat to go pheasant hunting in South Dakota in November. I wonder how neat she thinks it is this morning??
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It was 25 degrees when I got up. That's quite a shock to the system, considering it was in the 60's when I got up yesterday.
We'll stay below freezing all day, today, with gusty winds bringing miserable wind chills. I would prefer easing into winter, a little at a time. It ain't gonna happen this year! There is, however, a silver lining to all of this. The cold snap will be short lived. IT WILL BE BACK IN THE 50'S BY WEDNESDAY.
GRANDPA SOLBERG
WAS BORN
115 YEARS AGO
TODAY
Carl wrote: "I think your records are a little off. My father and Uncle Carl were the same age. Dad would be 105. Grandpa was 18 when he came to the USA."
You're sort of right, Carl. My records are right on but I can't add or subtract. Grandpa was born in 1879 which was, actually, 133 years ago.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
This is CARL'S CONTRIBUTION FOR THE DAY.
FIVE RULES TO REMEMBER IN LIFE
1. Money can not buy happiness, but it’s more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than on a bicycle.
2. Forgive your enemy, but remember the ass-hole’s name.
3. If you help someone when they're in trouble, they will remember you when they're in trouble again.
4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.
5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then neither does milk.
THERE YOU HAVE IT...and remember, life is good.
FIVE RULES TO REMEMBER IN LIFE
1. Money can not buy happiness, but it’s more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than on a bicycle.
2. Forgive your enemy, but remember the ass-hole’s name.
3. If you help someone when they're in trouble, they will remember you when they're in trouble again.
4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.
5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then neither does milk.
THERE YOU HAVE IT...and remember, life is good.
Within two days, the dust from the storm in South Dakota reached all the way across the country to Albany New York. The folks moved to South Dakota during those Dust Bowl years which are still known as one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.
SOME PEOPLE REALLY KNOW HOW TO RUB IT IN.
CARL WRITES: "Sorry to hear weather woes from most all. We are sitting on the deck of our unit here in Key West. Beautiful sunset earlier, 75 degrees.Kathy sings Wishing You Were Here."
----------------------------------------
It still felt like Key West in Wisconsin at 2:00 AM. We had a temperature of 64 degrees But, the cold front is about to hit. We'll be down to 40 by 4:00 PM. Winds could gust to 30 MPH and there's a 100% chance for rain.
Come nightfall, some snow could mix in with the rain as the temperatures continue to fall to near 25.
Tomorrows high temperature will be around 30 with a very brisk wind.
Meanwhile, in Pierre, where Rita, Roger, Rick and Angela think they're going to do some hunting, the temperature at 2 A.M. was 16 degrees.
The forecast for South Dakota's capitol calls for a high near 23 with a wind chill of 1 above. Just how much hunting do you think they'll want to do in that kind of weather?
Besides, South Dakota birds aren't dumb. They won't even go out today.
It's a good thing Rita and Roger stocked up on booze before they left. They're gonna need it.
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